Big Top Doo-Wop: The Circus

Circuses in one form or another have been a part of so many different cultures, including our own. So when we started doing research for a circus date, we had no idea how hard it would be to find a site that listed circuses and their performance dates throughout North America. When we finally came across what appeared to be a great circus resource—www.circuses.com—we thought we’d hit the jackpot. On one page, titled “Steps To Take When the Circus Come To Town,” we figured there would be tips on ordering tickets, winning at games and avoiding pickpockets. Instead, the first suggestion was: “Try to get the circus canceled.” OOPS! This was the website for PETA, an organization that opposes the mistreatment of animals.

CHANGES BELOW THE BIG TOP

When people think of the circus, images often come to mind of huge tents, flying-trapeze acts, clowns galore, jugglers, horses, elephants and lions. Due to financial realities, competition from newer forms of entertainment, and protests from animal rights groups, the circus is yet again evolving.

There are still circuses that travel from town to town with their performers and animals. They put up a big top tent, sell cotton candy and entertain audiences with animal and human acts. Other circuses forego the tent and set up at indoor arenas. Still others have become specialty circuses, with no lions, tigers and elephants. Cirque du Soleil is one of the more famous examples.

HOW TO FIND THEM

There are dozens of small circuses, but they don’t have any listings on the web. Call your local tourist office or chamber of commerce to find out if and when a circus comes to your town. Also look for newspaper ads.

Here are the websites of some circuses in North America:

For the one and only Big Top Doo-Wop, check out this East Coast circus group at www.bigapplecircus.org/Splash/. Their website has a complete study guide on the history of the circus that is easy to download. This is an excellent resource if you want to know how a circus runs.

For circuses in large cities throughout continent, here’s a name few of us will forget: www.ringling.com

For circuses in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming, a site to check is www.carsonbarnescircus.com/route/route.html

If you are in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, check out the Hanneford Family Circus at the swap meet. Their web address, complete with a live webcam of the circus, is at www.hanneford.8m.com/

AVANT GARDE CIRCUSES—LOOK MA, NO LIONS!

Here’s a circus where the animals are all dressed up like humans... Try their website at http://www.cirquedusoleil.com

For an African American circus, go to www.universoulcircus.com/

JUGGLING YOUR FINANCES?

If you have found a circus for your date, be sure to check their website to see if they offer any special discount coupons. Also check the newspapers for discount coupons that you can clip out.